Indian National Congress (INC): History & Important Sessions
(Home Academy – Complete Exam Notes for UPSC, SSC, JKSSB)
The Indian National Congress (INC) is the oldest political organization in India and the central pillar of the Indian freedom struggle. Founded in 1885, it transformed from a moderate political forum into a mass movement that led India to independence in 1947.
Formation of Indian National Congress
The INC was founded on 28 December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.
Founder: A.O. Hume (Retired British Civil Servant)
First President: Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee
Initial Objective: Political dialogue, constitutional reforms, and representation of Indian interests.
Initially, INC followed moderate methods such as petitions, resolutions, and constitutional means.
Phases of Indian National Congress
1885–1905: Moderate Phase
1905–1918: Extremist Phase
1919–1934: Gandhian Mass Movement Phase
1935–1947: Towards Independence
IMPORTANT SESSIONS OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (EXAM-ORIENTED TABLE)
| Year | Place | President | Important Decisions / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Bombay | W.C. Bonnerjee | First INC session; foundation of INC |
| 1886 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Expansion of INC to national level |
| 1896 | Calcutta | Rahimtulla Sayani | National Song “Vande Mataram” sung |
| 1905 | Benaras | Gopal Krishna Gokhale | Condemnation of Partition of Bengal |
| 1906 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Swaraj declared as goal of INC |
| 1907 | Surat | Rash Behari Ghosh | Split between Moderates & Extremists |
| 1916 | Lucknow | Ambika Charan Majumdar | Lucknow Pact (INC–Muslim League) |
| 1917 | Calcutta | Annie Besant | First woman president of INC |
| 1918 | Bombay | Hasan Imam | Support for Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms |
| 1920 | Nagpur | C. Vijayaraghavachariar | Reorganization of INC on linguistic basis; Non-Cooperation Movement |
| 1927 | Madras | Dr. M.A. Ansari | Demand for Complete Independence discussed |
| 1929 | Lahore | Jawaharlal Nehru | Purna Swaraj resolution; 26 Jan Independence Day |
| 1931 | Karachi | Vallabhbhai Patel | Fundamental Rights & National Economic Programme |
| 1934 | Bombay | Rajendra Prasad | Civil Disobedience officially withdrawn |
| 1936 | Lucknow | Jawaharlal Nehru | Socialism adopted as party goal |
| 1937 | Faizpur | Jawaharlal Nehru | First rural session of INC |
| 1942 | Wardha | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | Quit India Movement resolution |
| 1946 | Meerut | Acharya J.B. Kripalani | Interim Government formation |
| 1947 | Delhi | Acharya J.B. Kripalani | Partition & Independence decisions |
MOST IMPORTANT SESSIONS FOR EXAMS
Calcutta Session 1906
• Swaraj declared as goal
• Extremists gained influence
• Dadabhai Naoroji as President
Surat Session 1907
• Historic split of INC
• Moderates vs Extremists
• Leadership crisis
Lucknow Session 1916
• Reunion of Moderates & Extremists
• Lucknow Pact with Muslim League
• Joint demand for self-government
Nagpur Session 1920
• INC reorganized on linguistic lines
• Non-Cooperation Movement approved
• Gandhi emerged as central leader
Lahore Session 1929
• Purna Swaraj adopted
• Jawaharlal Nehru as President
• 26 January declared Independence Day
Karachi Session 1931
• Economic justice, equality, labour rights
• Blueprint of future Indian Constitution
Wardha Session 1942
• Quit India Movement resolution
• “Do or Die” call
• Final mass struggle against British rule
INC Presidents –
• First President: W.C. Bonnerjee
• First Woman President: Annie Besant (1917)
• First Muslim President: Badruddin Tyabji (1887)
• Youngest President: Jawaharlal Nehru (1929)
• Only President of 3 sessions: Jawaharlal Nehru
• Only Englishman President: George Yule (1888)
Role of INC in Freedom Struggle
The INC:
• Led all major mass movements
• Unified diverse regions & communities
• Created constitutional framework for India
• Produced national leaders (Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose)
INC transformed Indian nationalism into a mass-based freedom struggle.
One-Line High-Yield Facts
• INC founded in 1885 in Bombay
• Lahore Session 1929 declared Purna Swaraj
• Karachi Session 1931 shaped Fundamental Rights
• Faizpur was first rural INC session
• Wardha Session 1942 launched Quit India